The Galectin family of proteins, with specificity for Nacetyllactosamine containing glycoproteins, consists of beta-galactoside binding lectins containing homologous carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs).They also possess hemagglutination activity, which is attributable to their bivalent carbohydrate binding properties. Galectins are active both intracellularly and extracellularly. Although they are localized primarily in the cytoplasm and lack a classical signal peptide; they can be secreted by one or more as yet unidentified non-classical secretory pathways. They have diverse effects on many cellular functions including adhesion, migration, polarity, chemotaxis, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Galectins may play a key role in many pathological states, including autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, inflammation, tumor cell metastasis, atherosclerosis, and diabetic complications.

Serpin E2 is a member of the Serpin superfamily. It is differentially expressed during neuronal differentiation and is able to transform human embryonic kidney cells into neuronlike cells. Its over-expression in mice leads to progressive neuronal and motor dysfunction in these animals. It is also over-expressed in the majority of pancreatic carcinoma as well as gastric and colorectal cancer samples whereas it is weakly expressed in all normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis tissue samples. Serpin E2 is a potent inhibitor of thrombin, trypsin, urokinase, plasmin and plasminogen activators. It plays an important role in controlling male fertility because its knockout male mice show a marked impairment in fertility from the onset of sexual maturity and its abnormal expression is found in the semen of men with seminal dysfunction.

Serpin E2 is a secreted protein that belongs to the serpin family. Serpin E2 is a serine protease inhibitor with activity toward thrombin, trypsin, and urokinase. Serpin E2 expression is weak or absent in all normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis tissue. In contrast, it was strongly over-expressed in the majority of pancreatic carcinoma as well as gastric and colorectal cancer samples. Serpin E2 promotes neurite extension by inhibiting thrombin. It also can bind heparin. It has been shown that Serpin E2 is a novel target of ERK signaling involved in human colorectal tumorigenesis. It plays an important role in controlling male fertility because its knockout male mice show a marked impairment in fertility from the onset of sexual maturity and its abnormal expression is found in the semen of men with seminal dysfunction.